Endowment Grant Recipients

Research Grants

FNPS annually provides grants for research leading to the conservation of Florida native plants. These grants are funded through donations from
our Endowment Fund, from our general membership fees, and from targetted donations from individuals and chapters.

The list below the many projects that we have funded.

Propagation and testing of putatively canker-resistant Florida torreya (Torreya taxifolia), a critically endangered conifer of the Apalachicola River region.

The objective was to collect data on survival and preproduction from three introduced and three natural populations of C. glabra to construct and analyze demographic models. The primary objective was to use these models to determine which life cycle stages and demographic processes contribute most to population success or demise. The outcome of the research was reported to both applied conservation and basic science audiences in the form of an oral presentation (2010 FNPS meetings in Tallahassee, and Annual Meeting of Ecological Society of America) and papers published in professional journals

Evaluation and conservation of Harperocallis flava, a federally endangered plant in the savannas of the Apalachicola River Basin.

Herbert Kesler and Jennifer Trusty (Folius Consulting, 2009)

The objectives of this project were:

Determine the current status of populations in the ANF

Estimate the fire frequency and season that maximizes population growth rates for this species Identify which stage in the plants life cycle management can target to ensure the persistence and success of populations.

Based on these analyses, outline focus for management practices.

This project directly addressed actions outlined in the USFWS Recovery Plan of this species. It was designed to measure the decline or growth of selected populations and their response to fire aiding in the conservation of this species.

James M. Heaney (University of Florida and Florida Museum of Natural History – Department of Biology, 2009)

This project was a phylogenetic study of Nolina, based on molecular and anatomical evidence from various localities in Florida. Additional objectives were to quantify patterns of genetic diversity in and among populations and to compare these measures among congeneric species.

Mating system biology of the Florida native plant: Illicium parviflorum

Investigated the mating system and pollination biology of the early diverging angiosperm Illicium parviflorum, a close relative to I. floridanum. Prior to this research, there was no pollination biology known on this species. Illicium parviflorum is endemic to Florida and Georgia; however, the populations in Georgia are thought to have gone extinct (NatureServe 2009). Understanding the mating system biology is essential in determining future conservation strategies. This information will be used in expanding the current knowledge of early diverging angiosperm mating systems.

Fire, flowering, and fragmentation: The effects of seasonal fire on the reproductive biology of pineland allamanda (em>Angadenia berteroi), a rare shrub of the pine rocklands

Beyte Barrios Roque (Florida International University, 2008)

Effects of habitat, microsite and seed density on seed limitation and seedling establishment in native scrubland and scrub undergoing restoration.

Abstract

Conservation of a threatened species requires knowledge of the factors that affect its recruitment, survival, and reproduction. We conducted a long-term study on the demography of Paronychia chartacea ssp. chartacea, a short-lived, gynodioecious Florida rosemary scrub endemic. Specifically, we assessed the effects of habitat (rosemary scrub vs. roadsides), time-since-fire, microhabitat, and rainfall on recruitment, survival, flowering, and seed production. In addition, in a shorter-term study, we assessed the effects of habitat, time-since-fire, and gender on flower and seed production. Overall, approximately one-third of individuals survived more than one year and individuals most often flowered twice indicating that P. chartacea ssp. chartacea is an iteroparous, short-lived perennial, which is in contrast to its disjunct conspecific, the annual P. chartacea ssp. minima. Recruitment was higher in roadsides, but seed production was higher in rosemary scrub. Within rosemary scrub, recruitment was highest at intermediate times-since-fire and in the center of large gaps, the microhabitat with the greatest amount of bare sand. Median lifespan was longest in long unburned sites, suggesting that P. chartacea ssp. chartacea is able to persist despite litter accumulation and competition from shrubs. Rainfall had a positive effect on annual survival, but did not affect seedling recruitment. Females produced more seeds than hermaphrodites, indicating that females contribute more to population persistence. Our study suggests P. chartacea ssp. chartacea populations will persist under the 15–40 year fire return interval characteristic of regularly burned Florida rosemary scrub, but may not persist in roadsides if greater recruitment does not balance shorter lifespans.

Population structure and dynamics of restored and natural populations of the federally endangered Florida endemic Jacquemontia reclinata (Convolvulaceae)

Abstract:

Urbanization is a leading cause of species loss in the United States because of habitat destruction and fragmentation. Wetlands can be affected by urbanization and the condition of wetlands can be compared across land use categories. Cypress domes are isolated wetlands dominated by cypress (Taxodium distichum) and often remain in urban areas. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of urbanization on cypress dome number, size and spatial pattern through two decades of rapid urbanization in Orlando, Florida, a large city in the southeastern US. Over 3,000 cypress domes, in a region typical of urban growth in the cypress range, were identified in images from 1984. Over a 20-year period, 26 % were destroyed or degraded (i.e., no longer cypress-dominated) and almost half in managed forests were degraded, destroyed, or became surrounded by urban or agricultural land uses. The smallest and largest cypress domes were lost, leaving only mediumsized wetlands and decreasing landscape-level diversity. Despite the fact that these wetlands are common and partially protected by legislation, cypress in isolated wetlands may be at risk from urbanization.

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Phylogeny, phylogeography, and conservation genetics of a clade of southeastern US endemics in the mint family (Lamiaceae)

The intent was to use various DNA sequencing techniques to investigate patterns of genetic diversity within and among populations of each species of Conradina, Clinopodium, Piloblephis, and Stachydeoma and to apply the resulting information to understanding the phylogeny and geographical patterns of genetic variation in these dry site mints

This project looked at the roles of maidencane (Panicum hemitomon) and soft rush (Juncus effusus) in degraded maidencane marshes. In specific, she will be looking at the role soft rush may play as a nurse plant in recovering maidencane marshes. The study was conducted in wetlands at the MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center.

This was a detailed floristic inventory of over 6000 acres of publicly owned lands.

Floral biology and molecular phylogenetics of the genus Asimina (Annonaceae)

Katherine R. Goodrich (University of South Carolina, 2005)

The study investigated several the phylogeny and patterns in floral morphology in the genus Asimina, specifically seeking answers to the following questions:

What are the basal and derived traits within the genus Asimina and how do they differ from tropical relatives?

How has Asimina spread geographically into its current range in North America ?

Do the two floral phenotypes represent an early divergence event, or “suites” of traits which have been gained or lost multiple times?

What trends in pollinator attraction can be inferred from floral trait evolution within Asimina?

Is the exotic Brazilian pepper Schinus terebinthifolius a threat to mangrove ecosystems in Florida ?

Melinda Donnelly (, 2005)

The purpose of this study was to determine if and how Schinus terebinthifolius out-competes or inhibits growth of the red, black and white mangroves. In Mosquito Lagoon, this was accomplished by determining the ability of Schinus terebinthifolius to:

chemically inhibit growth of mangrove propagules,

invade coastal habitats by dispersing seeds in water,

tolerate conditions within the mangrove canopy, and

alter species richness and abundance of the flora when present in a mangrove system.

By better understanding the invasibility and impact of Schinus terebinthifolius on mangroves, coastal resource managers will be able to develop the most effective management strategies to prevent this exotic from altering the structure and productivity of the mangrove ecosystem.

The purpose of this project was to gain greater insight into the speciation and radiation of species within the Tillandsiafasciculata (Bromeliaceae) complex that occurs in Florida and Cuba . Specifically, anatomical, morphological, and molecular studies were used to examine the T. fasciculata complex in order to support taxonomic decisions and species boundaries. This baseline data was to be used to construct and solidify conservation measures.

Demography and Phenology of the Endangered Fern, Ophioglossum palmatum, at the Tosohatchee State Preserve

This study evaluated the growth patterns of hand ferns on the Tosohatchee State Preserve. Plants were selected randomly from different sites. Each plant as well as each leaf was tagged. The following parameters were measured or observed 4 times a year: length of stipe; length and width of blade; # of lobes; # of fertile spikes; size of fertile spike and stage of maturation; % of damaged leaves. The data obtained were used to assess of the longevity of the Hand Fern and to relate phenological patterns in leaf growth and spike production and maturation to sesonal variation at the Tosohatchee State Preserve.

Pinguicula ionantha R. K. Godfrey (Lentibulariaceae) is a recently described species endemic to a 25-mile radius in the panhandle of Florida . Due to its shrinking population size, P. ionantha was listed as threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on July 12, 1993 and is currently listed as Florida State endangered. This study conducted field and laboratory experiments to gain information needed to conserve federally threatened P. ionantha populations in the panhandle of Florida . The results of both types of research were integrated to create a better understanding of 1) the current status of all 62 known populations, 2) how the survival and fecundity of wild P. ionantha populations are directly effected by prescribed fire, and 3) whether a soil seed bank exists for this species. The goal of the project was to develop recommendations for conservation and management practices that will ensure the long-term survival of federally threatened and Florida endangered, Pinguicula ionantha populations.

The direct effects of prescribed fire on plant communities have been extensively studied yet little is known about the effects of fire on other trophic levels and trophic interactions. Interspecific interactions, such as herbivory and predation, play important roles in maintaining ecosystem function, however very little is known about their roles in post-fire succession. Predators may indirectly benefit plant communities by alleviating intense herbivory pressures typically associated with post-fire habitats. If predator, top-down controls are strongly felt by plant communities, then herbivory and predation play extremely important roles in post-fire succession. The goal of this research project was to determine whether insect herbivores and vertebrate predators play significant roles in influencing plant growth and reproduction following fire in longleaf pine sandhills. This was accomplished by setting up insect herbivore and vertebrate predator exclosures in longleaf pine sandhill habitats throughout two reserves in north-central Florida .

The Illicium parviflorum Michx. ex Vent. (Illiciaceae) paradox: an endangered Florida endemic and its role in the horticultural trade

The goal of this study was to assess levels of genetic diversity in natural populations of Florida anise, I. parviflorum, as well as that of horticultural stocks.

This rare species is quite popular in the horticultural trade, and is commonly sold as far north as North Carolina and as far west as Arkansas. It is common practice in plant nurseries to increase their inventories by propagating cuttings, resulting in a genetically homogeneous stock. In addition, many nurseries obtain their original cuttings from the same source, resulting in homogeneity among nurseries. Such practices may have serious consequences for natural populations exhibiting self-incompatibility.

The genetics of gender flexibility in passionflower

Cindy Bennington (Stetson University, 2003)

To test ideas related to the evolution of andromonoecy in passionflower, the investigator proposed an experiment toexamine the response of gender expression to resource limitation (imposed through herbivory). Three main questions were addressed:

Is fruit production limited by the number of cosexual flowers produced by a plant?

Is there genetic differentiation among populations in the proportion of male flowers per plant?

Is there genetic differentiation among populations in the degree to which floral gender is influenced by the environment? Genetic differences among populations may be fixed or plastic.

Effects of invasive exotic trees On the seedling demography of the endangered bromeliad Catopsis berteroniana

Philip A. Gonsiska (Florida International University, 2003)

South Florida is subject to invasion by exotic species, such as Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia). These species have the capacity to invade habitats, such as mangrove and buttonwood communities where C. berteroniana is found. Since Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, and melaleuca have the capacity to exclude native vegetation in the habitats they invade, if they are less suitable epiphyte hosts than native tree species, the possibility exists for the decimation of Florida's epiphyte communities. This could result in the extirpation of endangered epiphytes, such as Catopsis berteroniana.

The purpose of the observational portion of this project was to determine the fate of C. berteroniana seedlings during their first year of life on their naturally occurring native host species. The experimental portion of this study determined the effects of host species on seedling recruitment and thereby demonstrated potential effects of invasive woody species on bromeliad communities in south Florida.

Variation in functional morphology and ecophysiological responses within the southeastern endemic genus Dicerandra

Objective: to assess levels of genetic variation within and among populations of Illicium parviflorum, a state-endangered shrub that is endemic to six counties in central Florida (Lake, Marion, Orange, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia).

Paronychia chartacea (Papery whitlow-wort) is a state endangered and federally-threatened plant endemic to Florida.Disturbed firelanes provide an open, unstable, and less fire-dependent habitat for many scrub endemics. Some species show different demographic trends between populations in natural scrub habitats and firelanes.

Use of molecular markers for determining the geographic range of Chrysopsis fIoridana and distinguishing between Chrysopsis fIoridana and Chrysopsis scabrella

Laurie Walker Markham (Department of Biology University of South Florida Tampa, 1999)

Determination of the distribution, host-plant usage and preference of five native plants used by the endangered swallowtail in hammocks on the Miami Rock Ridge

Annemarie Jameson (Department of Biology University of Miami, 1998)

Baseline population and habitat analysis of Nemastylis fIoridana Small (fall-flowering ixia) within the Colbert/Cameron Mitigation Bank property, Volusia County, Florida to the east of St. Johns River as it enters Lake Harney